Whether you’re looking for a late-night snack or forgot your razor, you don’t have to worry in Japan. Japanese convenience stores (konbini, in Japanese) have got you covered.
These stores are usually open 24/7 and carry a variety of products. You can find sandwiches, bread, rice balls (onigiri), lunch boxes (bento), instant ramen, hot snacks, even fried chicken and oden. Several hot meals can be heated up in the store. This makes them great for travelers on the go.
You can also find a variety of drinks at Japanese convenience stores, including coffee (hot and iced), soda, tea, sports drinks, and more. Alcoholic beverages can also be found in some stores. The selection can vary with location and time of year.
Besides food and drinks, you can find small toiletries and cosmetics at these stores. They are great places to find any batteries you may need or even the often-forgotten umbrella. You can also find newspapers and manga if you’re looking for something to read or help you with your Japanese.
Besides these items, Japanese convenience stores often offer a variety of services. You’ll usually find an ATM there. There are usually multi-purpose terminals that you can use to buy tickets and passes to a variety of places, from bus passes to concerts to theme parks and more. Most of these terminals do not have an English interface, so keep that in mind if you decide to use one.
On top of this, there are usually a limited set of postal services, such as stamps and postcards. You can send letters out, or even send luggage to the airport in many cases. Many convenience stores outside of more urban areas, and some in them, will also have a bathroom, a vital part of any traveler’s planning.
There are many convenience store chains in Japan, several of which are international chains. Here are three major ones you’re likely to find wherever you travel through the country:
1. 7-Eleven
Found in many countries, Seven-Eleven is very convenient indeed for international travelers. Foreign cards always work at their ATMs. This is Japan’s largest convenience store chain.
And, one of big advantages of visiting a 7-Eleven store is that alongside withdrawing money from ATMs, you can also exchange foreign currency bills into Japanese yen. No ID or passport is required.
The Seven-Eleven Multicopy app allows you to print a variety of things from your phone at the store as well.
7-Eleven is known for its premium brand, Seven Premium. This brand is very high quality and includes products that are typically carried at premium stores, with a similar quality level.
The store’s Fried “Nana” Chicken is highly recommended for hungry travelers. Try Seven Cafe, either iced or hot. Watch here how to buy and make “Seven Cafe” on your own at the store. You can also try Cafe Latte the same way.
You don’t have to visit a restaurant to try some oden, it can be found at 7-Eleven. So don’t forget to try this if eating oden is included in your list of the things you want to do in Japan.
In conclusion, as a tourist, you can do everything here including Free WiFi service, tax free services and restroom facility.
2. Lawson
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You can find Lawson stores almost everywhere in Japan and Tax-free stores mostly in large cities like Tokyo, Sapporo, Fukuoka, Kyoto, Aichi and Osaka.
Lawson is known for selling high-quality products, especially when it comes to desserts and healthy foods.
If you stop by a Lawson, look for their dessert brand Uchi Café SWEETS. Be sure to try the Premium Roll Cake, a cream-filled sponge cake that is so good it’s hard to believe it’s sold by a convenience store.
If you’re not looking for something sweet, Lawson also sells an excellent fried minced chicken meat, Karaage-kun, that is easy to eat for those on the go. It comes in a few standard flavors, but there are always new and unusual ones to try, too.
Lawson also sells quality vegan snacks as well as gluten-free ones for those looking to keep to their diet while traveling.
And just like 7-Eeleven convenience store, here at Lawson you can also withdraw money by using your credit card or cash card issued overseas. Click here for more info about limit per withdrawal, how to use its ATM, and etc.
In addition, there are some In-Store Services that can be very useful for you, such as Loyalty program, E-payment services, Self-checkout machines and more.
3. FamilyMart
There are about 16,645 stores in total nationwide, this major convenience store in Japan is a perfect place to find your satisfying meal and high-quality goods & products that you need for everyday use. It’s the second largest convenience store chain in Japan.
FamilyMart is best known for its crispy, juicy, and tender fried chicken, called FamiChiki. This delicious chicken is actually so popular that some people stop by Family Mart just to get it.
It’s a very common meal around Christmas because the Japanese of having fried chicken at that time of year.
Also, look for the Oreno brand at FamilyMart. This is a brand that mostly offers some great desserts, often in large portions.
Here, foreign tourists can enjoy tax free services in many stores located in city center across Japan.
There are only three of the most major Japanese convenience stores! Konbini are very popular in Japan, so you can expect one in any well-traveled area.
